HSE National Cancer Control Programme launches three new National Clinical Guidelines for the most common cancers in Ireland

Three National Clinical Guidelines, which aim to reduce variation in practice in terms of access, quality of care and cost for cancer patients, were launched recently by the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) at an event in Farmleigh House attended by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD.

These evidence-based guidelines provide recommendations for clinical care for patients with cancer with the overarching goal of improving patient outcomes including their experience of care.  National Clinical Guidelines play a pivotal role in shaping cancer care. They offer patient-centred, evidence-based recommendations that enhance the quality of care provided to patients. They also empower patients to actively participate in decisions relating to their care.

The 3 new guidelines include:

• Diagnosis and staging of patients with breast cancer
• Active surveillance for patients with prostate cancer
• Neoadjuvant treatment of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Speaking about the guidelines Dr Eve O’Toole, Head of the Evidence and Quality Hub, HSE NCCP explains: “The NCCP is committed to ensuring that guideline recommendations reflect the best current evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values, and are accessible for all patients and clinicians through the HSE National Central Repository.”

The previous and current National Cancer Strategies recommend that the NCCP develop guidelines for cancer care to improve the quality of care delivered to patients. To date, nine national clinical guidelines for cancer have been developed, with various updates throughout the years and further updates to continue.

According to Professor Deirdre Duke, Consultant Radiologist, Beaumont Hospital: “By streamlining the diagnostic and staging pathway for patients with breast cancer, the guideline recommends what imaging investigations are most appropriate, without over-treating and thus avoiding unnecessary investigations and obtaining treatment in a timely manner”.

The guidelines promote better communication with patients, acknowledging that patients benefit from clearer information and structured plans, helping them understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect

The NCCP recognises the importance of patient input and their role as key stakeholders in developing guidelines. Several patients were invited to contribute to the development of these guidelines which has helped to capture important quality of life issues and patient values.

The guidelines are intended for use by all healthcare professionals involved in multiple stages of the cancer pathway for the three most common cancers in Ireland. They will also be of interest to patients undergoing diagnosis, staging and treatment of these cancers, and their families and carers. These updated guidelines replace recommendations within the original National Clinical Guidelines published in 2015 and 2020.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said: “I am delighted to launch this new suite of HSE Guidelines on cancer care. They reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality, equitable, and patient-centred oncology services under the National Cancer Strategy 2017–2026. I was especially pleased to meet some of the patients involved in the process of putting the Guidelines together. It is so important that patients’ voices are heard. The Guidelines will be a useful tool for clinicians and patients alike and will support their shared decision-making.”